Saccanulomika-nana: The ninth stage of knowledge derived from conformity with truth. The ship represents the body (rupa) and the owner of the ship, standing at the bow is mind (citta).*

The ship is crossing from the burning world of mortality to the other shore of Nibbana, which is represented by the Three Gems to which the owner of the ship (mind) points. The crew and equipment aboard are the various teachings necessary to cross the seas of wandering-on in birth-and-death (samsara). The Noble Eight-fold Path and other necessary Dhamma such as faith (saddha), or wisdom (panna) are essential required to guide the ship across. Of these teachings, Right View (Sammaditthi)** is the most important.

The importance of right view and wisdom is shown by the bird perched atop the mast of the ship. Should the ship go astray, the bird is sent out to establish the correct course. This practice of using a sea-bird for navigational purposes dates back to the time three or four thousand years ago, when compasses and other navigational instruments were not available. Steering from the stern of the ship is the captain who represents Right Mindfulness [Sammasati].

----(* The same symbolism is used for nama-rupa, or mentality-materiality in the Wheel of Wandering-on.)(** Right View (or understanding) is that which leads one inwards to Nibbana after seeing which it should be translated as: Perfect View. Others views (philosophical, or theological) lead one upon other paths and are called Wrong Views, or those which lead astray from Nibbana. Other factors of the Eightfold Path are “Right” or “Wrong” for the same pragmatic reason.)

Just that! *smile*...We Buddhists must find the courage to leave our temples and enter the temples of human experience, temples that are filled with suffering. If we listen to Buddha, Christ, or Gandhi, we can do nothing else. The refugee camps, the prisons, the ghettos, and the battlefields will become our temples. We have so much work to do. ... Peace is Possible! Step by Step. - Samtach Preah Maha Ghosananda "Step by Step" http://www.ghosananda.org/bio_book.html

BUT! it is important to become a real Buddhist first. Like Punna did: Punna Sutta Nate sante baram sokham _()_

This picture illustrates maturity of knowledge (gotrabhu-nana). Here the aspirant points to the Three Gems upon the ornate throne and signifies that he has finally taken Nibbana as the object of his meditation. At this stage, he is prepared to transcend the “family” (gotra) of ordinary mortals and progress into the realm of the Noble Ones (ariya), which term also means those who have developed.*

---* See illustration No. 41.

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Just that! *smile*...We Buddhists must find the courage to leave our temples and enter the temples of human experience, temples that are filled with suffering. If we listen to Buddha, Christ, or Gandhi, we can do nothing else. The refugee camps, the prisons, the ghettos, and the battlefields will become our temples. We have so much work to do. ... Peace is Possible! Step by Step. - Samtach Preah Maha Ghosananda "Step by Step" http://www.ghosananda.org/bio_book.html

BUT! it is important to become a real Buddhist first. Like Punna did: Punna Sutta Nate sante baram sokham _()_

Maturity of knowledge is also the subject in this picture. Here the cow which represents the ordinary person, is free from its pen because now it has mindfulness (symbolized by the rope), and is thus free from the round of rebirths. Upon leaving its enclosure mature knowledge arises. Freedom has been secured through the use of mindfulness and wisdom symbolized by the sharp-edged spear so that the cow is prepared to abandon its common worldliness for the supermundane of Nibbana. A dramatic transformation is shown in the upper picture where instead of a penned cow, a man upon the supermundane path flies effortlessly, holding two lotuses in this hands. (Perhaps symbolizing purity and compassion.)

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Just that! *smile*...We Buddhists must find the courage to leave our temples and enter the temples of human experience, temples that are filled with suffering. If we listen to Buddha, Christ, or Gandhi, we can do nothing else. The refugee camps, the prisons, the ghettos, and the battlefields will become our temples. We have so much work to do. ... Peace is Possible! Step by Step. - Samtach Preah Maha Ghosananda "Step by Step" http://www.ghosananda.org/bio_book.html

BUT! it is important to become a real Buddhist first. Like Punna did: Punna Sutta Nate sante baram sokham _()_

After attaining maturity of knowledge, one arrives at magga-nana or knowledge of the path leading to Nibbana, following upon which one attains phala-nana (Fruition-knowledge), which is recognition of the Path.

The four stages of this development* are represented by the four levels of lotuses in the picture and by the seated monks. The fully opened and blooming lotus stands for the Arahant or completely Enlightened One.

---* (The ancient Discourses describe four kinds of Noble Persons each of which has penetrated to Nibbana, their experiences being of varying depth so that they destroy to a different degree various aspects of the defilements.

A stream-enterer is one who has just entered upon the realm of the Noble Ones and is sure in any case to attain Nibbana. A once-returner still has sufficient defilements to ensure his rebirth once amongst men, while a never-returner, once his physical body has died, can no longer be reborn to this state of being but will attain Nibbana while existing in the upper realm of the Brahmaworlds called the Pure Abodes (suddhavasa). The Arahant (one who is accomplished) is the last of the four Noble Ones. He has made an end of the mental defilements and so come to the end of being driven onward in birth-and-death. He has reached complete purity and knows the bliss of Nibbana. Although monks are shown as attaining these four stages since they have the greatest opportunity to do so, these attainments are also open to diligent laypeople.)

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Just that! *smile*...We Buddhists must find the courage to leave our temples and enter the temples of human experience, temples that are filled with suffering. If we listen to Buddha, Christ, or Gandhi, we can do nothing else. The refugee camps, the prisons, the ghettos, and the battlefields will become our temples. We have so much work to do. ... Peace is Possible! Step by Step. - Samtach Preah Maha Ghosananda "Step by Step" http://www.ghosananda.org/bio_book.html

BUT! it is important to become a real Buddhist first. Like Punna did: Punna Sutta Nate sante baram sokham _()_

This is another way of explaining the four stages of knowledge leading to Nibbana. Knowledge in conformity with truth (saccanulomika-nana) is illustrated by the man (lower left-hand corner) who has just found a precious stone while plucking lotuses at a lotus pond, while the man holding the gem (bottom right) symbolizes the attainment of mature knowledge (gotrabhu-nana). At top-left the man joyfully raising the gem above his head signifies Knowledge of the Path (magga-nana), and the man top-right appreciating the flawless quality of that gem symbolizes phala-nana or Fruition of the Path.

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Just that! *smile*...We Buddhists must find the courage to leave our temples and enter the temples of human experience, temples that are filled with suffering. If we listen to Buddha, Christ, or Gandhi, we can do nothing else. The refugee camps, the prisons, the ghettos, and the battlefields will become our temples. We have so much work to do. ... Peace is Possible! Step by Step. - Samtach Preah Maha Ghosananda "Step by Step" http://www.ghosananda.org/bio_book.html

BUT! it is important to become a real Buddhist first. Like Punna did: Punna Sutta Nate sante baram sokham _()_

The monk reclining at ease surrounded by the beauty of many flowers is a representation of Nibbana which is beyond the preceeding knowledge, (and is adorned with the beauty and fragrance of wisdom and compassion). There is no longer concern with appreciation or admiration of the gem since the final stage has already been attained. (Hence in the two pictures below, the gem has been cast upon the ground while one enlightened being joyfully investigates the world, the other sits tranquilly in enjoyment of inner peace and clarity. It is noteworthy that of these two figures, one is not a monk, thus illustrating that the highest goal is not only for those who practice in the homeless life.)

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Just that! *smile*...We Buddhists must find the courage to leave our temples and enter the temples of human experience, temples that are filled with suffering. If we listen to Buddha, Christ, or Gandhi, we can do nothing else. The refugee camps, the prisons, the ghettos, and the battlefields will become our temples. We have so much work to do. ... Peace is Possible! Step by Step. - Samtach Preah Maha Ghosananda "Step by Step" http://www.ghosananda.org/bio_book.html

BUT! it is important to become a real Buddhist first. Like Punna did: Punna Sutta Nate sante baram sokham _()_

This picture points out the contrast between freedom and clinging: sensuous grasping (kamapadana), grasping at view (ditthupadana), grasping at belief in the efficacy of rites and vows (silabbatupadana), and grasping at belief in a soul theory (attavadupadana). These four kinds of grasping are represented by the four snakes that entwine and overcome their victim. One must, therefore, use the sword of wisdom to subdue grasping. One method of employing the sword is through meditation on corpses. Once relieved of the burden of grasping and attachment one attains absolute freedom as expressed in the grace and delicacy of the dancer in the right hand corner.

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Just that! *smile*...We Buddhists must find the courage to leave our temples and enter the temples of human experience, temples that are filled with suffering. If we listen to Buddha, Christ, or Gandhi, we can do nothing else. The refugee camps, the prisons, the ghettos, and the battlefields will become our temples. We have so much work to do. ... Peace is Possible! Step by Step. - Samtach Preah Maha Ghosananda "Step by Step" http://www.ghosananda.org/bio_book.html

BUT! it is important to become a real Buddhist first. Like Punna did: Punna Sutta Nate sante baram sokham _()_

The figure drowning in the sea of samsara, the wandering-on, is contrasted with the wise and free man whose dance symbolizes release and liberation. The top half of his picture contrasts freedom and ignorance. Ignorance in this instance is defined as one’s grasping or attachment to the constituents of one’s own personality (upadana-khandha - the five aggregates or heaps), which are here portrayed by five thieves.

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Just that! *smile*...We Buddhists must find the courage to leave our temples and enter the temples of human experience, temples that are filled with suffering. If we listen to Buddha, Christ, or Gandhi, we can do nothing else. The refugee camps, the prisons, the ghettos, and the battlefields will become our temples. We have so much work to do. ... Peace is Possible! Step by Step. - Samtach Preah Maha Ghosananda "Step by Step" http://www.ghosananda.org/bio_book.html

BUT! it is important to become a real Buddhist first. Like Punna did: Punna Sutta Nate sante baram sokham _()_

The hooked fish and the man struggling to stop himself drowning here express the bondage of samsara. Contrasted to this state of turbulence are four men at the top who have become Noble disciples. Seated tranquilly around the Three Gems that signify Nibbana, they are last released from the unsatisfactoriness of the world.

(This unsatisfactoriness (dukkha) is of course not “out there” in the world, but lies in the hearts of all unenlightened persons being the result of their defilements.)

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Just that! *smile*...We Buddhists must find the courage to leave our temples and enter the temples of human experience, temples that are filled with suffering. If we listen to Buddha, Christ, or Gandhi, we can do nothing else. The refugee camps, the prisons, the ghettos, and the battlefields will become our temples. We have so much work to do. ... Peace is Possible! Step by Step. - Samtach Preah Maha Ghosananda "Step by Step" http://www.ghosananda.org/bio_book.html

BUT! it is important to become a real Buddhist first. Like Punna did: Punna Sutta Nate sante baram sokham _()_

The woman here represents the weakness encountered when confronting the Five Heaps or Aggregates personified by the five thieves. Lacking the courage to resist, and unable to help herself, she must depend on or seek help from someone else. In this case, religion or the Dhamma here represented by the monk, is the source of sufficient strength to subjugate the Five Heaps. Once she embraces and follows the Practice-Path, she frees herself from the threat of the Five Heaps. Deliverance from danger and fear is dependent upon realization and practice of the Dhamma. Realization is the ultimate goal and practice of the Dhamma is the means whereby one may help oneself.

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Just that! *smile*...We Buddhists must find the courage to leave our temples and enter the temples of human experience, temples that are filled with suffering. If we listen to Buddha, Christ, or Gandhi, we can do nothing else. The refugee camps, the prisons, the ghettos, and the battlefields will become our temples. We have so much work to do. ... Peace is Possible! Step by Step. - Samtach Preah Maha Ghosananda "Step by Step" http://www.ghosananda.org/bio_book.html

BUT! it is important to become a real Buddhist first. Like Punna did: Punna Sutta Nate sante baram sokham _()_

The explanations to the pictures are translated by Sulak Sivaraksa and Don Sweetbaum. Explanatory portions in brackets have been added by Ven. Bhikkhu Khantipalo.

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“Wherever the Buddha’s teachings have flourished,either in cities or countrysides,people would gain inconceivable benefits.The land and people would be enveloped in peace.The sun and moon will shine clear and bright.Wind and rain would appear accordingly,and there will be no disasters.Nations would be prosperousand there would be no use for soldiers or weapons.People would abide by morality and accord with laws.They would be courteous and humble,and everyone would be content without injustices.There would be no thefts or violence.The strong would not dominate the weakand everyone would get their fair share.”

(The Buddha speaks of the infinite life sutra or adornment, purity, equality and enlightenment of the mahayana school)

nate sante baram sokham

Just that! *smile*...We Buddhists must find the courage to leave our temples and enter the temples of human experience, temples that are filled with suffering. If we listen to Buddha, Christ, or Gandhi, we can do nothing else. The refugee camps, the prisons, the ghettos, and the battlefields will become our temples. We have so much work to do. ... Peace is Possible! Step by Step. - Samtach Preah Maha Ghosananda "Step by Step" http://www.ghosananda.org/bio_book.html

BUT! it is important to become a real Buddhist first. Like Punna did: Punna Sutta Nate sante baram sokham _()_